As snowfall rapidly accumulates and fast-moving winds hamper snow removal, New Jersey is under a state of emergency, as declared by Gov. Chris Christie.

Although the entire state is under a state of emergency, Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May counties are under particularly close watch, as up to 18 inches of snow is expected to clobber the Jersey Shore, and coastal flooding is anticipated. Other areas of the state could receive about a foot of snow.

Wind speeds are estimated to reach up to 55 mph.

Police, along with municipal, county and state officials have urged motorists who are not essential employees not to drive today.

Despite warnings, Long Branch and Toms River police, among other departments around the state, said on social media that some people are choosing to venture onto the roads. Drivers who called for law enforcement help told Toms River police officers they left their homes to get coffee, cigarettes or pet food, Toms River Police Spokesman Ralph Stocco said Thursday. Other people said they simply wanted to see how bad weather conditions are.

Unnecessarily driving Thursday is a danger to motorists, but has also caused police officers to risk their own safety, Toms River police said. Officials with the Neptune Township Department of Public Works said resources are strained when officers have to respond to numerous unnecessary car mishaps.

USPS sent the following statement: "Due to winter weather conditions, including snow and ice, there will be a possibility of late or non-deliveries for some residential and business customers particularly in or near the NJ shore area and in Sussex County Delaware. The conditions have also impacted many of the retail locations in those areas — some retail locations may be closed or open on a limited basis. The Postal Service is monitoring conditions and will provide updates on possible impacts to operations. We will make every attempt to safely deliver the mail." The postal service asked residents to keep mailboxes, walkways and steps clear of accumulated or overhanging snow so that mail carriers can safely deliver letters and parcels.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS:

Jersey Central Power & Light: 888-544-4877

PSE&G: 800-436-7734

Suez Water: 800-422-5987

Here is a list of all school closings, delays, public notices and agency closings in Monmouth and Ocean counties for Friday, January 5, 2018.

Do you know of a school closing or delay that's not listed below? Send it in to newstips@app.com.

This man braved the blowing snow to get to a convenience in Ocean Twp. The Jersey Shore was hit with blizzard conditions on Thursday, January 4, 2018. /Russ DeSantis for the Asbury Park Press / Slug: ASB 1205 BombCyclone
Russ DeSantis, Russ DeSantis

A Foodtown (in Ocean Twp.) employee brings in the last of the carts as the store closed early at 2pm. The Jersey Shore was hit with blizzard conditions on Thursday, January 4, 2018. /Russ DeSantis for the Asbury Park Press / Slug: ASB 1205 BombCyclone
Russ DeSantis, Russ DeSantis

No! The garbage and Recyclables were not picked up this morning in Ocean Twp. The Jersey Shore was hit with blizzard conditions on Thursday, January 4, 2018. /Russ DeSantis for the Asbury Park Press / Slug: ASB 1205 BombCyclone
Russ DeSantis, Russ DeSantis

These two men were too late getting to Foodtown in Ocean Twp. as the store closed early at 2pm. The Jersey Shore was hit with blizzard conditions on Thursday, January 4, 2018. /Russ DeSantis for the Asbury Park Press / Slug: ASB 1205 BombCyclone
Russ DeSantis, Russ DeSantis

James Yoo, (RIGHT) Ocean Twp., plays in the snow with his dog Luna, a female, Pomeranian Husky. He is joined by his friend Tyler Yosco, Ocean Twp. The Jersey Shore was hit with blizzard conditions on Thursday, January 4, 2018. /Russ DeSantis for the Asbury Park Press / Slug: ASB 1205 BombCyclone
Russ DeSantis, Russ DeSantis

1/4/18 Woman makes her way across the Sunset Ave. Bridge in to Asbury Park , the Snow and wind created a blizzard condition along the Jersey shore. Photo/James J. Connolly/Correspondent
James J. Connolly/Correspondent

1/4/18 An inflatable "Snoopy" om Main St. Bradley Beach is no match for the swhick now and wind created a blizzard condition along the Jersey shore. Photo/James J. Connolly/Correspondent
James J. Connolly/Correspondent

1/4/18 Woman makes her way across the Sunset Ave. Bridge in to Asbury Park , the Snow and wind created a blizzard condition along the Jersey shore. Photo/James J. Connolly/Correspondent
James J. Connolly/Correspondent

1/4/18 Woman makes her way across the Sunset Ave. Bridge in to Asbury Park , the Snow and wind created a blizzard condition along the Jersey shore. Photo/James J. Connolly/Correspondent
James J. Connolly/Correspondent

1/4/18 Bradley Beach employee Joshua Draheim shovels in front of the municipal building .Snow and wind created a blizzard condition along the Jersey shore. Photo/James J. Connolly/Correspondent
James J. Connolly/Correspondent

1/4/18 Bradley Beach employee Joshua Draheim shovels in front of the municipal building .Snow and wind created a blizzard condition along the Jersey shore. Photo/James J. Connolly/Correspondent
James J. Connolly/Correspondent

Snow plows get to work on Route 37. Weather conditions deteriorate as a low pressure system moves north off the coast delivering snow and high winds to the area. Roads quickly become snow covered creating dangerous driving conditions.
Toms River, NJ
Thursday, January 4, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Asbury Park: Municipal courts are operating on a one-hour delay, opening at 9 a.m. For more information call the court at 732-775-1765.

Bradley Beach: Municipal offices are closed.

Colts Neck: Municipal court is closed. Township offices will open at 10 a.m. Naval Weapons Station Earle is closed Friday to all non mission-essential personnel. Installation will reopen Saturday.

Holmdel: Municipal buildings will open late, at 10 a.m.

Howell: Municipal court is canceled.

Long Branch: City offices will open at 11 a.m. Stanley Dziuba, director of Long Branch's Department of Public Works, said the wind has been an obstacle to snow removal because it has created snow drifts and low visibility. "We had to stop for a couple hours on the beachfront because we couldn't see in front of us. It just wasn't safe," Dziuba said. "We're hoping by 3 or 4 o'clock this afternoon we can start making some really good headway." Dziuba said Department of Public Works crews have been out working on the roads since midnight. He reported no major incidences and said most residents are staying off the roads. - Dan Radel, 2:30 p.m. Jan. 4.

Manasquan: Municipal offices will open at 9:30 a.m. Garbage pickup is back to normal.

Middletown: Garbage collection in the North Zone is postponed to Jan. 8.

Millstone: Municipal offices will open two hours late, at 10:30 a.m.

Neptune: The Neptune Township Department of Public Works has more than 30 plows and salters operating within town, in addition to private contractors, according to the Department of Public Works (DPW). "Emergency services and DPW will continue to work throughout the night answering calls for service and working to clear the roadways," the DPW said in a statement, adding that people are discouraged from traveling on the roads. "Emergency services have responded to countless disabled vehicles and motor vehicle crashes, tying up resources and blocking roads for the snowplows. The best way you can help is to stay off of the roads and watch out for your neighbors. We encourage you to check on the welfare of any neighbors, especially the elderly or disabled," the DPW said.

Barnegat: Trash and recycling pickup is canceled for the rest of the week.

Berkeley: Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said parts of the township have received more than 16 inches of snow, with drifts in some places as high as six feet. Amato said there are more than 100 pieces of equipment being used by township employees and hired contractors to plow streets, but Berkeley has more than 271 miles of roadways, over 300 courts, cul-de-sacs and dead ends, so it will take time to clear the streets. "With the snow continuing to fall and snow drifts close to six feet, it's going to take some time," Amato said. "Crews will have to circle back to areas already plowed to redo them." Amato urged residents to stay off the road so that township plow operations can continue unimpeded. - Jean Mikle, 3:03 p.m. Jan. 4.

Brick: Public works collection is postponed until Monday. Residents who would have had pickup on Wednesday will have pickup Saturday. Thursday pickup was postponed until Sunday. The township's Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast is canceled Friday and rescheduled for Jan. 12, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Willow Springs Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center (1049 Burnt Tavern Rd., Brick). Public works collection is also delayed by one day, according to the township. Collections does not pick up over the weekend.Long Beach Township: Administrative offices will open two hours late.

Jackson: Municipal offices will open 90 minutes late. Recycling pickup is canceled. The Compost Site and Convenience Center is closed.

Lacey: Garbage and recycling pickup are canceled.

Long Beach Township: Recycling pickup is canceled for the rest of the week. Normal pickup will resume Jan. 8.

Plumsted: The municipal building will open at 11 a.m.

South Toms River: Section 2 garbage collection will take place Monday.

Toms River: Township offices are closed. Municipal court is closed. Township police are urging non-essential employees to stay off the roads Thursday. "Our police officers are risking their own safety to respond to vehicles stuck in the snow, spin outs off the road, and minor crashes," said Ralph Stocco, spokesman for the Toms River police, in a statement Thursday afternoon.

Waretown: Township offices will open two hours late. Township police asked residents to stay off the roads if at all possible.